Mildred Wesson Masters

Mildred Wesson Bowers Masters, our “Nanny,” went home to be with her Savior on June 7th, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Mildred was born on July 29, 1923 in Bessemer, Alabama to Daniel and Alice Burnette Wesson. She married Grady Thomas Bowers on February 8, 1943 who served in the Navy during World War II, while Mildred worked as a Rosie Riveter to help support the needs of our country. Following the war, she worked at Grand Theater in Bessemer with her sister-in-law and best friend June Wesson. Later she worked at Sokol’s Department Store in Bessemer. In 1944, the couple welcomed their daughter Dianne Bowers. Mildred later became a manager at Protective Life where she worked from 1958 to 1985. After the passing of Grady Bowers in 1963, Mildred met and married Columbus Lee (C.L.) Masters in 1966, and they enjoyed 16 years together until his passing in 1982. Mildred was known for her determination and her drive to accomplish whatever she wanted to do. She was a fine cook and loved making her specialties such as her deviled eggs and mini cheesecakes. Fiercely independent, she has been known to climb on a counter to put up dishes on the top shelf of the cabinet at 90 years old. She was still getting about with a rollator up until the day she went to the hospital at the end of May, even attending her great-great-grandson Allen's graduation days before. She loved puzzles and continued to complete them digitally until the day she went to the hospital. Mildred was an avid Fox News watcher, and was even featured on her 100th birthday during their National Anthem segment. She loved discussing politics and her beloved country, and her mind remained sharp to the very end. She could remember minute details of something that was shared with her, and she would ask about it the next time you saw her. She cared about everyone and wanted to be involved and know how everybody was doing. You could share prayer requests with her, and she would faithfully pray, and continue to ask how the situation was going. She loved being with family and attending all of the special events that she physically could. She was our biggest supporter wrapped up in a tiny package. Even during her final hospital stay, whoever came to visit was blessed by her love and concern for them. She may not have looked strong, but her heart was mighty, and kept beating for all of us for almost 103 years. Her final request was that we all love each other and take care of each other. Mildred was preceded in death by a whole host of friends, her brothers Dewey and Vernon Wesson, and her brothers-in-law Dacil and Ed Bowers. She is survived by her daughter Dianne Bowers Turner, her son-in-law Pete Turner, her brother-in-law Johnny Bowers, grandsons Grady, Danny, Greg, and Chris Turner, eleven great grandchildren, and numerous great-great grandchildren, each one greatly loved. The funeral service for Mildred will be on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home with burial following at Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 AM until service time.

Mildred Wesson Masters

July 29, 1923 - June 7, 2026